A humble look at one of my favourite hobbies: reading. I love reading thrillers, chick lit, children's books & more. My opinions are mine only and I hope I will not offend anyone by them. Please feel free to leave a comment and your link!
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Saturday, 10 September 2011

The synopsis reads: ' " Ruth shivers, not entirely from the cold. Who would bury bodies here, in this inaccessible spot? The bodies are bound, their hands tied behind their backs.When bones are unearthed at the foot of a north Norfolk cliff, forensics expert Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson are put on the case. The skeletons have lain there for decades, possibly since the war, and for all that time a hideous crime has been concealed. When a body washes up on the beach, it becomes clear that someone wants the truth of the past to stay buried, and will go to any lengths to keep it that way. Can Ruth and Nelson uncover the truth in time to stop another murder? " '

This is the first time that I have read an Elly Griffiths' book, and I believe that this is her 3rd one. I know you should not judge a book by its cover, but I did just that. The cover shows a rather dark shadow of a a house standing precariously at the sea's edge. If I am honest (and rather ashamed) to admit that I chose this book because of the the ethereal and supernatural look: think 'Rebecca', by Daphne Du Maurier and you get the idea. However, I am glad I did...The first few pages of chapter 1 promised to deliver a gripping story and solve a mystery spanning back to World War 2. A group of archaeologists are scouring the beach using special equipment to measure the scale of coastal erosion.stumble across a cave in a cliff which on closer inspection appears to have human remains. From here, the story gathers pace, and the reader is quickly introduced to the main characters: Forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson, and their supporting colleagues: DS Judy Johnson and DS Clough. Ruth and Nelson have a shared history which remains a secret throughout the story. Ruth's 6 month daughter, Kate, is married Nelson's daughter. Ruth is a brilliant archaeologist who is completely dedicated to her work, and,(what appears to us) less so to her daughter. Although this is a murder "who dunnit" investigation, I think the author has raised lots of modern day issues without distracting from the story. Issues such as single mums working, well Ruth is subject to many harsh comments that imply she should be at home looking after her baby. I think DS Clough is responsible for this one! Complicated marriages - Nelson is happily married to Michelle who he will not leave. Religion, Nelson is a catholic and Cathbad (Ruth's close friend) is pagan. Environment issues of coastal erosion: Jack Hastings, the MEP lives in the house at sea's end, and is angry that the government will not do anything about coastal erosion because it does not care.

Why I like this story?It did not turn out to be 'gripping' in the correct meaning of the word, but I found this to be 'gripping' in a completely surprising way. I found the characters, the two main ones, Ruth and Nelson, to be incredibly strong and principled. To me, this way worked and rather than being enemies, as murder stories usually depict, this worked in their favour. Ruth's strength matched Nelson's softer (dare I say feminine) side. Nelson befriended those who he had suspected could be responsible for the murders of the German soldiers. Getting to know them, such as Jack Hastings, his mother Irene Hastings, and at one point suspecting Jack's daughter, Clara. I was impressed and wondered if perhaps the police of today could adopt that technique?! The 'perfect' couple became in essence, the 'perfect' crime busting duo! To me they were the only characters in the book and that is why I have only concentrated on them. .

Monday, 5 September 2011

The synopsis reads: ' " When the body of a brutally beaten girl is found in a quarry during a hedonistic hippy festival at Sundays near Kingsmarkham, Wexford is first on the scene. The victim's face has been pulped by the back-end of a bottle, but who, in this atmosphere of peace and love, could be capable of such violence? The body is that of local girl turned stripper Dawn Stonor, but it is the unlikely link between this ill-fated and the mysterious folk-singer Zeno Vedast that piques Wexford's interest. Through a web of lies and deceit Wexford uncovers a history of love and hate that began years earlier, and he realises that never has he witnessed a murder of such desperate passion..."

Thumbs up again for Ruth Rendell! I love the Chief Inspector Wexford series. It is full of unexpected surprise and gripping realism. Wexford is of a generation which appreciates times past, and yet, recognises that time has to move on. Unlike poor Detective Inspector Burden who is scathing of the younger generation and their ways, and 'things were better in my time.' In my opinion, this novel, as do the others in the series, finds both men fighting crime in their own way, while holding these beliefs close to their hearts. I find this reassuring and I think it adds value to the story. This is one of the main reasons why I like Ruth Rendell's books. Nearly always Banks will say something which leaves me thinking about it for a long while after the I have finished. In this case, Banks, on discovering the murder of a girl, says to Burden, ' "There must be many murder victims,' Chief Inspector Wexford said slowly, 'who meet their deaths without knowing in the least why they are to die." ' It is quotes like this, which in my opinion, prove that Rendell is really a master crime writer.

Who would be the ideal audience? In my humble opinion, Rendell lovers, crime and murder books fans, and I would recommend readers new to crime fiction to give it a go.

Saturday, 3 September 2011

I have been so busy..what with school holidays and trying to catch up with my crafting deadlines, that my book blog has been forgotten. Well, the Ginger Cat is back. Lots of books have passed through my paws and into my lovely warm and cosy basket so watch this space!

About Me

Hello, and welcome to Book Reviews from The Coffee Table. My aim is to read books, all kinds, and review them. I love reading! Which is why I am doing a proofreading course, which I hope will lead me on the road to becoming a professional freelance proofreader.